SPC comments

[Kiel Ortega]

I find it funny that he wants to higher risks because supposedly that means that it gets more attention. I've got anecdotal evidence that even when HIGH risk days occur, the media (not for sure with the local WFO, but I'm sure the enhanced wording appears in the forecast discussion which maybe 0.00001% of the general public reads) doesn't really jump all over it. I called an uncle in Kansas City on May 4, 2003 at 930-10AM to let him know that it may get bad that day. He said that the news had said nothing and when he told his neighbors they laughed...until that afternoon when the tornadoes hit. As was already stated, the tornado watches have been out for these past couple of events, so why the complaining? Seriously, some of the public doesn't know the difference between a watch and warning; most of the public barely reacts to a watch, some don't even react to a warning, so what's a MOD or HIGH risk going to do for that?

 

[Billy Griffin]

Seriously, some of the public doesn't know the difference between a watch and warning; most of the public barely reacts to a watch, some don't even react to a warning, so what's a MOD or HIGH risk going to do for that?

EXACTLY !!! There will ALWAYS be those who seemingly appear on national TV who say, "we had no warning!" My parents, God Bless them, are the same darn way! The other day, I call them (live near Paducah, KY), tornado is confirmed and heading right towards their house. When they answer, what are they doing? - just getting home from a day of shopping at Wal Mart! Knew nothing about the weather situation. Oh, the humanity!

 

[Jesse Risley]

And, of course, in the end it boils down to one thing. If Accuweather muffs a forecast, they only have corporate sponsors to answer to. If SPC muffs a forecast, they have to answer to the taxpayers.

That about sums things up. The SPC is a public entity, funded by our tax dollars. Accuweather is a private entity that operates for a profit. The SPC is providing a public good, so it's inefficient and next to impossible to exclude non-payers from receiving their services. We have two different entities with two fairly different missions. Let's look at the glass from the "half full" perspective - how many times is the SPC actually accurate in their forecasting skills? I'll bet it's higher than some naysayers would like to admit.

 

[Chad Cowan]

I find it funny that he wants to higher risks because supposedly that means that it gets more attention. I've got anecdotal evidence that even when HIGH risk days occur, the media ... doesn't really jump all over it.

What about June 7th this year? Just one example but IIRC, there was an entire school district in WI that canceled classes due to the high risk of tornadoes. I think that schools (and the helpless midgets inside them) are Henry's main concern when criticizing the SPC. There isn't going to be much change in the general public's plans because a high risk is issued because what can they do besides 'stay tuned'?

 

[Terry Tyler]

all i have to say is, the SPC does a bad ass job, and if accuweather can do a better job, then let them take over...because i dont see a problem with SPC, and havent seen a problem with SPC...

a SLGT risk was issued with those tornadoes in MO, IL...

A SLGT risk implies well-organized severe thunderstorms are expected, but in small numbers and/or low coverage.

there was a serious amount of damage from the storms in MO, and a thicker coverage, but it was also isolated from areas just 30M south of there...so if they did issue a MDT or HIGH it might have messed that up too so i dont know...there definatly were a large amount of damage reports for a slight...but, the general public doesnt care too much about the SPC and their outlooks...

ive also seen HIGH risk days that didnt produce too much either, so it comes down to forecasts bust sometime...for better or for worst...and thats how it goes...they do a great job...

as far as the south goes, yesterday...i think a MDT risk was definatly the appropriate action to take...it sure wasnt no slight, but it wasnt a high...HIGH risk days need to be reserved for when it is really going down...and in order for them to be treated with such respect, they need to be continually done like this...

coming from someone who has alot of authority as far as weather is concerned, he sure does have some balls challenging the SPC like that...maybe those models at accuweather are better then the SPCs...i dont know though...

i highly reccomend people read shanes post before criticizing the SPC again...